Prabal Gurung's Target Collection Is So Pretty, So Not Prissy

Target's Prabal Gurung collaboration is coming, and I haven't been this excited about the imminent arrival of anything, except for, say, the season 3 premiere of "Downton Abbey." Okay, so that was only a few weeks ago, but don't lead me to lead you to believe that my excitement about Downton (DON'T DIE, MRS. HUGHES!) is capable of diminishing the amount of floral joy the Prabal Gurung x Target collection, which launches February 10, is giving me. I'm just as into the thoroughly modern, edgy, McQueen-leaning holographic prints and painterly garden party prints as Mary is into the idea of being a superficial bitch. It's all of the pretty without any of the prissy. The Prabal, that is. Not Mary. She's all of the pretty and all of the prissy.

Short-Sleeve Dress in First Date Print/Black, $39.99  Miniaudiere in Nolita Print, $34.99  Floral Necklace in Multicolor, $39.99  Crystal Teardrop Pendant Necklace in Black, $19.99  Crystal Teardrop Necklace in Black, $39.99  Wedge Sandals in Apple Red, $29.99

Dress in First Date Print, $34.99; Miniaudiere in Nolita print, $34.99

Blazer in floral crush print, $49.99, Long-sleeve tee in floral crush print, $19.l99, Shorts in floral crush print, $26.99, Ankle-strap pumps in black, $39.99

Versace Yellow Diamonds, Rimmel Volume Flash Scandaleyes Mascara + More On 10 Things I Love Tuesday!

I'm kind of experiencing a real-life "Emma"/ "Clueless" situation. See, my BFF Laura is a phenomenal writer, mother, and human being. I've been bugging the shit out of her to start a mom blog for AGES, and she finally did it (probably just so I'd STFU). Anyway, speaking of bugs, she was bitten by the blog bug and is burnin' up, Madonna style, with a SERIOUS case of blogging fever over at Look What Mom Made. And I'm so happy because I'm not even a mommy/ kid sort, and her blog is so inspiring. Anyway, it's a classic case of the student becoming the MASTER, where she's Tai, and I'm Cher, because I love her "10 Things I Love Tuesday" list, so I'm promptly stealing it. Thanks, Laura!

Without further ado, here are 10 things (most beauty, I admit) I love on a TUESDAY.

1.) Versace "Yellow Diamond": I'm highly devoted to Versace's "Versace" fragrance, but I want to slather Versace "Yellow Diamond" all over my body (in a reasonable way). It's basically a lighter, brighter version of Versace Versace, with more citrusy notes but all of the sophisticated staying power. Put it on yourself NOW. "Yellow Diamond is $67 at Macy's, but if you like "Yellow Diamond" on Facebook you can get a free sample! HOW 'BOUT THAT, America?

2.) Rimmel Volume Flash Scandaleyes Mascara: This is kinda Rimmel's answer to Cover Girl's epic Lash Blast mascara. The main difference? Rimmel's has slightly more color payoff. It's best used as a final coat over a mascara that really defines -- like MAC's False Lashes. Rimmel Scandaleyes is like, I don't know. However many dollars. It's not much.

3.) Nars "Shrinagar" lipstick: Perfect wearable berry purple. I know I said all of that stuff about red lipstick, and I do love a good red, but lately purples have been doing it for me They bring out your lips' natural color but in a slightly exaggerated, not at all cartoonish way. "Shrinagar" is $24 and worth every penny.

 

4.) Cover Girl Color Blast Flipstick Lipcolor: Beware. Cover Girl's new two-in-one lipstick will stay on your lips FOREVER. I'm still wearing "Perky," and I put it on like, last Monday.

$7.99, Cover Girl, Target

5.) Soap & Glory Hand Food lotion: File under: British stuff I love, right next to "Downton Abbey." Impulse bought this while waiting in line at Sephora (IT WORKED, Sephora. You're welcome), and this is my new favorite lotion next to MOR. It lasts forEVER, softens, and has a secret ingredient: MARSHMALLOW! Bonus: Adorable packaging.

$5, Soap & Glory, Sephora

Jason Wu For Target: The Key Cat Pieces

I KNOW I'm not the only person out there so excited for Jason Wu's Target collection that I could practically pee in a cat box. (No? Just me?) Hi, it's INSPIRED BY A CAT! A black cat named Milu.

So, naturalamente, my favorite pieces involve cats:

Striped jersey dress, $34.99

Milu the cat tote, $39.99

Milu print scarf, $19.99

Rachel Roy's Fashion Week Presentation Totally Eclipsed By Kim Kardashian

I took some time out of my busy week of not really going to fashion week by going to fashion week and checking out Rachel Roy's Spring Summer 2012 presentation on the promenade of Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. The promenade is basically an outdoor balcony where you can smoke before going inside to try to pretend you know what opera actually means. But this morning it was the neutral-hued backdrop of the human stick figure diorama that was Rachel Roy's presentation. (Just kidding, the models were just "regular-skinny," and they were a far more diversely cast group than some of the other shows I've seen this fashion week.)

Soooo, Rachel Roy's presentation was lovely! Themed "romantic minimalism," the collection was an exercise in hushed louche walking pants, slouchy blazers and the occasional Mandarin collar. Very Charlie Girl meets "The Joy Luck Club" meets for Sunday brunch near Central Park. Oh, and Bobbi Brown pulled off some of the best beauty I've seen since this whole fashion week situation happened. The perfect "I'm-not-wearing-any-makeup" makeup. But that's because she's Bobbi Brown and knows what the eff she's doing.

 + Read more about Rachel Roy's S/S 2012 presentation after the jump!

Missoni For Target Fashion's Night Out Pop-Up: I SURVIVED!

Fuck what you heard about Irene. Missoni For Target took New York City by storm at Fashion's Night Out, and I braved the HOARDES OF HOARDY SHOPPERS to cover the pop-up for MTV Style.

It was daunting, it was packed, it was 1 MILLION DEGREES in the shade, but I went in, and came out with two diaphanous black pleated maxi skirts, two pairs of black-and-white zigzagged pajama pants (TOO HOT! TOO CRAZY TO TRY ON ANYTHING, so I bought two sizes), one silk(-ish) robe and $212 broker.

Check out my experience bravely shopping the Missoni For Target pop-up shop for MTV Style, and don't miss the collection when it hits Target and Target.com Sept. 13. (Like you could miss it.)

Here's FashionBinge In Stephanie Caruso's Fashion Blogging Documentary, "Fashion: We Want In"

A few months back I shot some segments for filmmaker Stephanie Caruso's documentary about fashion blogging. I was honored to be featured (What? Someone wants to come to my house on a Saturday morning and listen to me talk about, like, Target? And then you're going to tape it too? Hokay!) alongside Desmitten and to be a representative voice of fashion bloggers who are doing it for the love of style, connecting with an online audience, and the written word. But, you don't have to take my word for it.

Watch "Fashion: We Want In."


FASHION.*    *we want in. from Stephanie Caruso on Vimeo.

One of These Things Is notLike the Other

The post seems to have disappeared, but Sugar Rock Catwalk recently discovered a striking similarity between some pretty damn ubiquitous Dolce Vita wedges (that's the DV version, the "Pali") and Target's Mossimo "Pilar" sandals. Interesting. Looks like Dolce Vita's not the only brand with whom they're, uh, taking the collaboration a little further.

Last spring Target had what I thought was a pretty cool collection by Cynthia Vincent. Unlike with Dolce Vita, they don't have the brand's shoes in stores right now, but check this out:

Cynthia Vincent "Roma" gladiator wedges, a pair I recently admired on the feet of a coworker and then web-stalked. They're amazing.

Annnnnnnd, exhibit B:



Mossimo "Priya" wedges.

Pretty blatant, I'd say.

For the record, I still want the CV version.

Spring Beauty Forecast: Tom Ford Lavender Palm, Topshop Polish + Dark Circle-Busting Concealer

Ohai! Beauty Blogging Junkie's Amber and I have once more joined forces to bring you some of our favorite beauty products for spring. (Review our favorite winter beauty products if you need a moment.)

Anyway, neither one of us should be allowed in front of anything that has the capability to record us because we will NEVER STHU. OKAY! Watch our new spring beauty "forecasting" videos, and check out my favorite spring products below!





Here are the beauty products I'm INTO.

($4.99, Sonia Kashuk, Target)

 

Tom Ford Lavender Palm EDP is $250 for 50ml, $950 for the 250ml decanter (I KNOW!) and available only at Tom Ford Beverly Hills. That's SO Tom Ford of him.

($23.99, Graftobian.com)

Seriously, Graftobian makes the BEST concealer/ corrector OF ALL TIME. Believe me when I tell you this. Because it's true. This is like the Susan Boyle of beauty products: plain-looking but deceptively skilled.

($28, Rodin, Barneys.com)

If you're not the kind of girl who'd spend $28 on lip balm, you will be after reading my Naag.com review of Olio Lusso.

Oh, and I TOTALLY screwed up the name of brand of the shirt I'm wearing! It's Wkshp (pronounced "Workshop.") Good thing I don't have to appear on any red carpets in the near future. Reporters would be like "WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?" I'd be like "IT'S LANCOME" instead of LanVIN or something! Anyway, Wkshp's tees are the comfiest, slouchiest, cutest tees I've encountered in my entire history of t-shirt curation. And that's really saying a lot. CandyStore Collective, Free People and Nasty Gal carry Wkshp tees.

($39.50, Wkshp, FreePeople.com)

 HORSE shirt alert, by the way! That wasn't lost on you,w as it?

($40, Wkshp, Shopnastygal.com)

+ And by the WAI, Topshop Sandy Lane nail polish is coming soon!

Finally, here are the products AMBER is into!
+ Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum
+ Elemis FreshSkin Make-up Cleansing Wipes
+ Revlon CustomEyes Palette in Smoky Sexy
+ Josie Maran Blemishes R Gone Argan Acne Clearing Pads
+ Neutrogena Skin Clearing Blemish Concealer
+ Pixi Week Of Wake Up Makeup ($30)

Lust List: Rachel Roy & Keds Hi-Tops, Tie-Dye For Non Hippies, And The Best Summer Bag EVAR!

Welcome to my weekly lust list -- my fantasy shopping list of things I'd happily purchase right this moment... if only you were paying.

($99, Rachel Roy)

It was love at first click for me and these Rachel Roy blue Adinah hi-tops, created with surfer Karina Petroni. Love the summery surf fabric and I love that they're slip-ons. Honestly, being vehemently anti flip-flops (they're terrible and cheap!!! Step your GAME up!), these are a perfect substitute. 

($264, Collina Strada, DearFieldbinder)

I mean... a better summer bag has never existed. Leather, canvas, a happy little shadowy tic print, and plenty of compartments.

($19.99, Calypso For Target)

I've said it before, I'll say it again, and I'll keep repeating it if need be. Tie-dye can be HORRIBLE. TERRIBLE. Any Jerry Garcia-leaning swirls-and-fractals tee makes me want to gouge my eyes out with a brooch, straight-up Oedipus style. The ONLY way to do tie-dye acceptably is ONE color with few circles or stripes. For example: the tie-dye tops from the Calypso for Target collection. I'm pretty stoked for a super easy orange tie-dye tee (I think they come in a bright pink too). The collection hits Target stores May 1.

($90, Alexis Bittar)

That little pop of fuchsia in there? That's love.

($70, Keds)

Keds is rolling out their "How Do You" road trip series, which pairs (har) a pair of urban-inspired, limited-edition Keds with a city and a charity. My favorites of the collection are the hi-top foldover Champion LA Keds. They're lightweight, and, once again, perfect for flip-flop skeevers like myself.

Spotted At Target: Bigfoot

Like any white-blooded, middle-class American, I LOVE Target. But I DO NOT love the fact that from Target, you can procure not one but TWO different Bigfoots (Bigfeet)?

There's this horrifying Bigfoot costume FOR ADULTS:

($74, Target.com)

 

I have nightmares about waking up to something like watching me in my bedroom.

And then there's this Bigfoot toy, which is an exercise in pure terror.

($97.99, Fisher Price, Target.com)

Per the description, this ONE-HUNDRED DOLLAR (!!!??!?!) Bigfoot comes with a remote control that "allows him to walk forward and backwards and the 6 buttons are Happy, Angry, Sleep, Fun, Ball and Exercise." WHAT? "Angry" button? Where's the "Total Panic Attack" button?

I do not BELIEVE this picture of a little boy playing with Bigfoot. You know they Photoshopped a photo of a happy little boy face after the actual little boy shat his pants and ran off, emotionally scarred for life. Could you blame him?

Feelin' It: Dolce Vita for Target

A weekend trip to New Jersey means a trip to Target, which is cause for celebration enough. Add in Labor Day weekend, and suddenly it's back-to-school shopping (without the school): double yay! Then, the cherry on top: a designer collab I'd completely forgotten about and, to be frank, kind of written off. I saw the pics for the Dolce Vita for Target collection a few weeks back but wasn't really into them, even though I'm a fan of Dolce Vita shoes and have a bunch of them. Somehow, in person, the boots didn't seem quite so pirate-y, and the flats were a little more special.


Lace-up boots, $34.99. I'm not usually one for lace-up boots, but I decided I could try to be one. Like my fearless coblogger! Also these have a handy diagonal zipper up the side that means you only have to fix the laces to your liking once (they're still functional). And the faux leather is of pretty high quality. Beware, this shoe for some reason runs at LEAST a full size large; I got a 7 when I usually wear an 8.



Studded ballet flats, $29.99. The major selling points for these are the tiny understated studs and the square ballet shoe–like toe. These run a tad small; I should probably have gotten a half-size up, as I now see the reviews are telling me. Why can't they standardize the sizing? Cute, though. Sold!

Some other back-to-school finds:


Mossimo boyfriend cardigan, $20. Leggings, boots, done.



Mossimo lace inset cardigan, $22.99. Cardigans are pretty much a staple of my fall wardrobe, so. Why not?

Anyone else feeling the DV for Targs?

Exciting Fashion Challenge: Hats!

So, in exciting non-recessionary news, my husband just got a freelance job doing graphic design for a polo event on Governor's Island, which means an opportunity to a) look at fancy people dressed up fancy, and b) dress up faux-fancy myself (it's free to the public unless you want to pay for a VIP picnic ticket). The "polo style tips" page emphasizes "hat first; outfit second" and advises a large brim and some sort of flair that "amuses" (yay!). And so, here is a short list of hats I am considering for either buying or inspiration: I may just MacGyver my existing H&M floppy straw hat with some fun gussying-up materials. Any hat I buy has to be extremely cheap, of course, because that's how I roll, i.e. not in hats, unless it's a costuming situation. Which I consider a polo match to be, or, really, any event involving horses. And so, perhaps:


So here's your basic fedora with a cute colored ribbon: French Connection Shamble Hat, $39.99. Of course, this is easily customizable if you DIY it. Colored ribbon plus cheap hat = done.



Sundried hat from Anthropologie, $128. This is one hundred percent DIY-able; just get some raffia and start tying. The only question is where does it fall on the cuteness scale?



You could probably just go to the dollar store and wild out, too, as demonstrated by this Juicy Couture "Pompom Tassels" hat, $88.



Pansy field fedora from Anthropologie, THREE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHT DOLLARS. Seriously. Again, dollar-store doable. And cute!




A white hat would also be cute for summer. Here's a really basic white straw fedora from Tilly's, $12.99. Ribbon and done.



Or...handy with a grommet gun? Try to re-create this seriously cute Eugenia Kim grommeted fedora, $297.



Or add some sparkle with a sequined scarf, like Eugenia Kim did with this "Craig" sequined straw fedora, $315. I don't have to say that you could DIY this, right? Cough cough.

If you don't feel like doing any work and just want to spend a few bucks on a hat, here are some nice inexpensive options:



Forever 21 two-tone fedora, $8.80. (I'd probably still switch out the ribbon though...maybe?)


Aeropostale plaid-print fedora, $7. So sweetly preppy! I might just get this just because. It's seven bucks!



Torrid silver straw fedora, $18. Bling it out!



Tarnish floral overlay fedora, $38. Actually classy. I could totally see my friend Michelle T. rocking this.



Eugenia Kim for Target fedora, $16.99.

Now for the ridiculous:


ASOS bunny-ears fascinator, $33.82. This exists.

Finally, I am all for Betsy's tiny hat idea, which she executed wonderfully. I'd even go so far as to suggest pinning this item to your head if you really hate hats:


Blue and white straw hat, $2.50. (OMG.)

I would not, however, recommend bringing your, um, rat to this event, as the seller notes: "Never leave your rat unattended while dressed. While they can slip out of the outfit if needed, harm could still come to them if you are not there to watch them. Please note that it sometimes takes a few tries before some rats will keep their clothing on." Ain't that the truth!

I'll leave you with this fun fact: Carl will be taking direction at times from a star polo player named Nacho who also models for Polo. His assistant is also named Nacho and will also be contacting Carl. This is not going to lead to any hilarity at all!

Late to the Party: Cynthia Vincent for Target

Peeps, these Cynthia Vincent for Target shoes kinda rock. Looks like the black gladiator wedges sold out (boo), but I picked up a pair in brown at an upstate Target this past weekend. I am so glad Carl indulges my Target fixation. Anyway....



The straps on these gladiator wedges, $29.99, were kinda loose on my regular size, but a half-size down solved the problem. Yay!



I also tried on the strappy ring flats, $24.99, in a half-size up (which was actually fine), but the straps were flopping all around, so I passed. Maybe a half size down would fix it also? I might actually go for these in white, since I just bought yellow sandals.



And I'm digging the hot pink studded thongs, $24.99, though I'm wary of the toe strap. Seems like just ASKING for trouble.



Surprisingly, the tribal-print wedges, $29.99, are still available. Weird! They're so cute!

I'm gonna hit the Matt Bernson sample sale on Friday, and if I STILL need sandals, maybe I'll order up some of Cynthia's and hope for a good fit.

Then all I'll need is some NICE GODDAMN WEATHER. Seriously, why so winter???